Yeah, sure, getting isekai'd into a novel world is great.
The problem is, just because it's a novel world doesn't mean I get protagonist-level plot armor from a rom-com.
My looks were utterly average.
Sure, being a kid made me cute, but so were all the other kids.
If anything, my slightly upturned eyes gave off an aggressive vibe.
The real issue was how to approach Seuli with these looks.
Her shyness was worse than I'd expected.
From last Monday to today—four days straight of trying to talk to her—and she bolted every time.
If I chased her, she'd somehow end up even farther away.
Any closer, and she might actually start crying, so I'd stopped pursuing...
"What do I do...?"
Getting close was the problem from the start.
Not to brag, but I wasn't great with kids.
Even at the orphanage, when younger ones approached me, I'd just done the bare minimum as a big brother—never initiated anything myself.
The only times I'd approached first were when the director told me to hand out snacks or let the kids know it was mealtime.
...Mealtime?
Come to think of it, kids always weakened for food.
It felt like luring a stray cat, but my situation was desperate enough to try it.
My goal was to keep Seuli from approaching the original protagonist.
More precisely, to stop her from getting close to that guy.
In the novel, Seuli fell for him at first sight during middle school after they moved, thanks to his kindness.
So, I'd get close to Seuli first and make sure she never got that chance with him.
That way, she wouldn't get hurt.
The minor issue was her eventual move, but I'd worry about that later.
Right now, priority one: befriend Seuli.
So, time to prep some snacks...
...What kind of snack would work best?
*
I was pondering what snacks kids liked, but it turned out to be pointless.
"Kids~ It's snack time~"
"Waaaaah!"
At the teacher's announcement, the children charged toward the cafeteria like Pavlov's dogs.
Even then, my eyes stayed glued to Seuli.
Luckily, she was a kid too—her face lit up a bit as she headed to the cafeteria.
I trailed after her, scampering along.
Today's snack was hot dogs, a sneaky favorite among the kids.
Would hot dogs win Seuli over?
I glanced at her again.
Seuli was munching away with a happy smile.
So cute. She really did look like a squirrel.
With that thought, I edged closer cautiously.
"Hey, Seuli."
"...!"
She jumped at my approach, glancing at me warily.
Ketchup smeared on her mouth, her guarded look was adorable—but also nerve-wracking.
One wrong move now, and I might not even be allowed to look at her anymore.
Steeling my shaking heart, I made my heartfelt offer.
"Wanna... try mine?"
"Your hot dog...?"
"Yeah..."
Seuli eyed my hot dog, then me, still looking suspicious with that ketchup on her lips.
It stung, but her next words hurt even more.
"...Why?"
Her blunt question left me speechless. She stared a moment longer, then turned back to devour her own hot dog.
She returned her stick and bowl to the teacher, then fled the cafeteria.
...Kids' hearts are tough.
I bit into my hot dog with a bitter taste in my mouth.
Delicious. Was my palate regressing to a kid's, or were these just that good? Amazing either way.
...And Seuli had rejected this tasty hot dog.
Did she hate me that much? Was I that scary?
The hot dog was great, but my mood plummeted.
Then, good news chased away the gloom.
"What day is tomorrow~?"
"Dreamland day!"
"Right~ Tomorrow, we absolutely have to come to kindergarten early~ Promise~?"
Tomorrow was the kindergarten field trip to the amusement park.
Maybe I'd gauge her mood and try approaching once more.
*
The next day, I boarded the kindergarten bus to Dreamland.
And whether by fate's prank or the author's whim...
"Hi, Seuli."
"...Hi."
I ended up sitting next to her.
Unfortunately, she ignored every question after that—like she couldn't hear me.
Being stonewalled like this stressed me out too, so eventually, I shut up midway.
Meanwhile, the kids gasped in awe the moment we arrived at the park.
"Whoaaa...!"
"Dream! Dream Land!"
"Kyaaaa~!"
"I wanna ride the rollercoaster!"
"Me too!"
The teacher quickly reined in the giggling, shouting kids.
"Let's fold our hands~"
"Fold!"
The now-silent children stared at the teacher, who smiled satisfied at their conditioned quiet.
"Everyone~ Even if you're excited, let's be a little quieter, okay~? The bus driver is tired~"
"Okay~"
They quieted down, though some whispering persisted.
In the midst of it, I tried talking to Seuli again, softly.
"Hey, Seuli, aren't you excited for Dreamland?"
She shot me a quick glare, then gave a tiny nod.
First reaction since this morning's greeting.
Not even a real reply—just a nod—but it moved me deeply.
Was I the type to get thrilled over something so small? Didn't matter; the feeling was real.
Like this, little by little, maybe we'd become friends someday.
Daydreaming happily, I glanced at the amusement park's attractions.
A place full of fun and joy.
*
Under the teacher's guidance, we started holding hands with our partners.
Naturally, I grabbed Seuli's—the girl next to me on the bus.
She clearly wasn't thrilled about it.
I got it. To her severe shyness, my forced approaches made me public enemy number one.
Being stuck with the enemy? Incredibly uncomfortable for her.
If I'd known it'd lead to this, I wouldn't have approached at all these past days. So unfair.
Regardless, the field trip continued.
We all wore name tags with our names and phone numbers around our necks, then paper bracelets for entry tickets.
Then, following the teacher, we entered the park.
Today's schedule: morning at the zoo inside the park, afternoon on two rides of our choice, then home.
Two rides seemed stingy, but considering the teachers, it was generous.
Plus, the lines...
I thanked them inwardly and led Seuli by the hand toward the zoo.
And one realization hit me...
"Whoaaa...!"
Seuli loved animals.
We were at the red pandas, and the instant she saw them, her face lit up with pure bliss.
Seeing her beaming made me happy too. Her smile had some kind of happiness virus that infected others.
But the moment our eyes met, her face hardened instantly.
Did she hate me that much now? My mood sank deeper. What should I do?
As my head grew more jumbled...
"Uh... uh...?"
Seuli's expression froze.
"Seuli?"
I called her, but her face had drained pale. She wanted to answer but couldn't.
I followed her gaze and finally understood.
While we were mesmerized by the red pandas, the group—kids and teachers—had left us behind.
I was most at fault for getting distracted...
"Uh... u... waaah..."
"Waaah! Mommy...!"
...But right now, consoling the crying Seuli was priority.
Apologizing could wait until after.